Is it normal that i want to chunk my child through a window?

I have a 6 month old. Sometimes I get so frustrated with her crying I want to spank or throw her. Let's get something straight. I would NEVER harm my child, EVER. But sometimes I get so frustrated after doing EVERYTHING I can possibly think of to make her happy that I just want to go crazy. Instead I take to punching a pillow repeatedly or screaming in it and I can sometimes fathom why so many babies get shaken baby syndrome, which again, I would NEVER do. Is this normal?

Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 57 votes (37 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 24 )
  • wistfulmaiden

    Its normal especially if your child has colic or cries all the time. That would drive anybody nuts(babies crying actually raise blood pressure to anyone who hears).
    I only have one child and he wasn't a big crier but there were times I regretted having a baby and once or twice I thought about smothering...not that Id do it either. Its a clue you need to ask someone for help, a relative a friend a babysitter, just get away for a while. Take a shower, go outside get some ear plugs.
    There may be women out there who find having babies the most wonderful thing on earth but I stopped at one because I know I couldn't handle any more. I love my kid and hes 8 now but when he was a baby sometimes I just wished Id not had a child.
    Your baby will get past this stage just know its temporary and get all the help you can.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • howaminotmyself

    A lot of parents feel this way at some point. And most do not act on it. Sadly, some do. But most don't. Most parents inflict that pain on themselves. Or, they call a relative or friend and ask for help.

    I was lucky and had a lot of friends anticipate this feeling and came over to give me breaks without asking. or they would do my dishes or laundry or just help in some way. But the best is just having someone watch the child long enough for you to take a shower. Oh my god, showers are wonderful.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • thegypsysailor

    It is definitely NOT a a symptom of post postpartum depression. It is a symptom of not having enough help raising a young child. You go from being a young, free individual to being imprisoned 24/7/365 by this tiny creature that DEMANDS all of your time, and attention. It must be fed, held, talked to and sung to. It gets too hot, cold, hungry or needs to be changed and the only way it knows how to communicate is to make the most un-godly noise on earth until you guess which of a thousand things is why it is wailing. No, mommy, you need more help and a real break every so often. Most people only work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, but not you. Again, your job is 24/7/365 and it is tough.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Negima93

    I'm glad to hear this is sort of normal. I don't have a child, but I am afraid to have one. I can't stand the crying of a baby, and I'm afraid if I have one I would accidentally hurt it. The frustration would just be too much. Although I'm not a violent person. If you're having these feelings you could possibly find a family member to watch the child while you nap

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • TheArBuilder

    The first kid is always hard. This is just a hard time for you, it's an annoying age.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Lonely2

    True dat..it takes help to raise the liitle shits

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • NeuroNeptunian

    My Mom had a baby when I was 17 and until she was able to find daycare (which she had to when I started the school year so I only had him after school and weekends). For his first three months, I was his primary caregiver, and I almost went insane. Sometimes I'd just cry myself because I couldn't handle it.

    My boyfriend at the time stopped by sometimes and helped a bit and that helped my sanity tremendously. I went nut and I'm not even his Mother. You have it way harder than I can imagine and you need a break every now and then. I've done that for my friends and I'd gladly do for you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • green_boogers

    You need a break. Where is Dad? He needs to take the baby to the park, or hiking in one of those baby back packs. There is a kind of harmony that a single parent just can't get. Get this kid's Dad to HELP!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • VioletTrees

    Yes, and I think the way you're coping is good.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • charli.m

    Totally normal. I'm not a mum but I've been a nanny for 11years so I know part of the frustration. ...but I don't have to deal with it 24/7 like you and other parents.

    Best thing to do when you're close to losing it is put bubs down and walk away. I'm no advocate of controlled crying or crying it out, but if you need a bit of time to calm down, for your own sanity and for baby's safety, it's ok to put bubs down and walk away for a bit. If you're stressed, it's going to be harder to calm bubs because they sense your emoy iond and respond to that.

    Do you have family or friends who can babysit while you have a bit of you time? Have you got any medical diagnoses for the crying or are you just one of the lucky ones with a fusser?

    I know it doesnt seem like it now, but it will pass.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • myownopinions

    My mother once told me that if a baby keeps on crying after you've tried everything you can think of (burping, diaper change, hungry, etc.), then you should just let it cry until it wears itself out.

    I would assume your feelings are normal (not that I have any experience in that department).

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • GiveMeAFuckingNameAlready!

    Little kids little problems, big kids BIG problems.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • I know it's been a while but I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments. It's really helped me not feel like a dirt bag for those uncontrolable feelings, though sometimes I still do. I know one thing is for sure, I do not want anymore kids ever. It sucks being constantly pushed to and past your limits every single day. I can't imagine having it doubled.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Outsider21

    that's fucked up, but since people are saying this is normal, I guess I'm not really one to comment as I have no real experience. I just am very much against people throwing babies. As Mr. Mackey would say throwing babies is bad, mmkay

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • charli.m

      So you've never had an urge to act out physically when very frustrated and stressed?

      This mother did not say she would harm her child. She's very aware of her emotions. She just wants reassurance. She is not going to hurt her child.

      No one here is pro baby throwing. Well, except troll tards.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • Outsider21

        Yeah I definitely have for sure. I've definitely had the urge to act out physically with regard to adults but extending that to infants just sounds messed up. I just cannot really fathom the mere idea of throwing babies

        Comment Hidden ( show )
  • This is one I'm actually really surprised is normal. I've wanted to kill certain people, but never babies, especially if I had one of my own.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • charli.m

      Imagine some little creature that is totally dependant on you and it is emitting a scream that goes straight through your eardrums and pierces your brain. You can feel it in your gut. Your blood pressure and cortisol levels are rising. You have no sleep. Your hormones are all out of whack from pregnancy and post birth. You are physically drained from the pregnancy, the birth, and the day to day care. You have to feed this creature every three or so hours so your sleep is interrupted and up to one of those three hours may be spent feeding that creature. If breastfeeding, that's an extra physical strain on the body, possibly accompanied by pain and blood (not always but it does happen). Sometimes it cries for no apparent reason...you can't work out what's wrong - it's fed, burped, changed, good temperature. Nothing you do to calm it works. You feel like a failure for not being able to do anything.

      And that's every day.

      It's not always so amplified. Or constant. But it does happen. And parents are only human.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Avant-Garde

    If you can afford it, I would suggest hiring an experienced nanny. That way, you'll have someone with experience to help you. You wont have to keep going at this alone and unaided.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • charli.m

      Nannies are expensive. I know this because my rates are expensive for most families....and I undercharge. Nannies are more for sole charge care - not working side by side with the parents. That would be a mother's helper or a babysitter.

      Help is a good idea, for sure, but a nanny, even one day a week, is looking at a couple of hundred AUD, $25-40 per hour, depending on the job and the nanny. Not sure what it is US but it would still be pretty high. Plus, a good casual babysitter can be knowledgeable, too.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • CountessDouche

    From what I've heard, this is actually a pretty common feeling. If it happens a lot, it could be a symptom of post partum depression though.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Gross butt.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • ABF

    The old saying is (You made your bed now sleep in it!) are at least try. LOL

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • qld37

    It is completely normal. Anyone who has had children has felt something similar. We just don't act on it, obviously.

    Our G.P. prescribed a drug for such instances, for when we struggled to cope. Three of our four children had the drug at one time or another. The drug literally knocked the child out for a few hours, allowing us to get much needed rest.

    If you're having a lot of trouble trying to cope, perhaps your G.P. has something they could prescribe for you.

    In general, I don't condone drugging kids. However, in situations where the parent is having a hard time, it is better that our children have a nap than 'shaken baby syndrome'.

    Comment Hidden ( show )